Trouble starting

[monhollenj]

My 1980 1100 G has been sitting over the winter. I was starting it every two weeks, but it kinda got lost in the shuffle. I haven't been able to get it started since. I took off the carbs and cleaned them up, all of my vacuum hose is still connected, I'm getting fuel in the bowls of the carbs, but when I try to start it sometimes it tries to start up but most of the time it just keeps turning over. I opened the bowl screws to see if they were getting fuel and after I tightened them up it tried to fire, but then back to normal cranking. Help!!!!! I'm not sure what's going on here. Thanks

[motoman]

My 1980 1100 G has been sitting over the winter. I was starting it every two weeks, but it kinda got lost in the shuffle. I haven't been able to get it started since. I took off the carbs and cleaned them up, all of my vacuum hose is still connected, I'm getting fuel in the bowls of the carbs, but when I try to start it sometimes it tries to start up but most of the time it just keeps turning over. I opened the bowl screws to see if they were getting fuel and after I tightened them up it tried to fire, but then back to normal cranking. Help!!!!! I'm not sure what's going on here. Thanks

Sounds like maybe too much fuel since when draining the bowls it tried to fire. Maybe try starting with enricher(choke) NOT pulled out, and of course, no throttle applied.

[BA80]

Moto, I find that if mine gets flooded, holding the throttle wide open is the only way to clear it out so it'll start.

just sayin'

[oldyam80sg]

I think just starting it up and not riding drains the battery.I would charge the battery fully and then try to start it.

[monhollenj]

I have a new maintenance free battery on it. I initially thought that was the problem. I've been trying to start it for a couple weeks now. I've tried the throttle wide open and no throttle, choke and no choke. Stuck!

[Shacknasty]

I would put a full charge in the battery. ("Maintenance free" doesn't mean that a battery tender isn't a good idea!) Yer electronic iggy needs a full charge to start yer bike.

Change the gas. New, fresh fuel will make a difference. And put in at least a gallon and a half. Disregard if you used a fuel stabilizer.

Have you checked for spark?

If none of that helps, a shot of starter fluid would be my next step.

[Schming]

I would put a full charge in the battery. ("Maintenance free" doesn't mean that a battery tender isn't a good idea!) Yer electronic iggy needs a full charge to start yer bike.

Change the gas. New, fresh fuel will make a difference. And put in at least a gallon and a half. Disregard if you used a fuel stabilizer.

Have you checked for spark?

If none of that helps, a shot of starter fluid would be my next step.

+1 all except the starting fluid. These bikes and most others, when everything's right, will fire up in less than 1 full revolution of the engine.

Fuel, compression, and spark have to be there along with correct cam timing.

Check your plugs and see what they're telling you.
Are they wet or dry.

Like Shack asked, Got spark?

Need more info on what you did to carbs.

[BA80]

If none of that helps, a shot of starter fluid would be my next step.

Brake cleaner or carb cleaner is a better choice here. Starting fluid can cause some serious damage.

[trbig]

Did you clean the tiny jet (Starter jet) down in the BOWL of the carbs? The stuff they call "gas" these days goes bad and varnishes pretty quickly, and since those are so tiny, they get plugged fairly easily.

My suggestion is to make sure that those are clean. Using some carb cleaner and the red straw provided, to make sure it's clean, but be warned, don't look down at the carb while doing so. A shot or two of carb cleaner in the eyeball will make a sissy out of the toughest guy. Make sure you get a nice stream of cleaner going down into the bowl as well as from the bowl side, up and out.

Then put a half can of Sea Foam in the tank, slosh around a bit, then re-install the carbs so the fuel/Sea Foam mix is what's filling the carbs. Sea Foam is not only like having a mechanic in a can, it makes as good or better a fuel stabilizer than Stabil.

[motoman]

Moto, I find that if mine gets flooded, holding the throttle wide open is the only way to clear it out so it'll start.

just sayin'

Very true, opening throttle plates for more air to lean out the excess fuel.